As the NSW government announces the proposed boundary for a Great Koala National Park, a new study by the Australian Conservation Foundation reveals more koala habitat has been approved for destruction under the national nature law in 2025 than in any other year.
This is despite the koala being listed as an endangered species and the federal government recognising habitat destruction and fragmentation as a 'major' and 'increasing' threat to the iconic marsupial (see page 15 and page 18 of the Conservation Advice for the Koala).
The Albanese government is currently reforming the national nature law.
Released for National Threatened Species Day, 7 September, the ACF study reveals:
- 2025 is already the worst year on record for federally-approved destruction of koala habitat. Almost 4,000 hectares has been approved to be bulldozed for eight projects.
- Since 2011, an area larger than two Royal National Parks has been approved for destruction. Almost 38,000 hectares of koala habitat has been approved to be bulldozed under Australia's failing nature 'protection' law, the EPBC Act – more than for any other threatened species in Australia.
- 98% of destroyed koala habitat has been flattened without assessment by Australia's national nature law. Agriculture is the biggest driver of koala habitat destruction.
- Native forest logging continues to destroy koala habitat, particularly in NSW.
"ACF welcomes the NSW government's announcement of details of the long-promised and much needed Great Koala National Park," said ACF nature campaigner Darcie Carruthers.
"Despite its commitment to 'zero new extinctions', the Albanese government has already approved the destruction of 3,958 hectares, or four Sydney Airports' worth of koala habitat, so far this year.
"Even worse, 98% of koala habitat has been bulldozed without even being assessed under the national law. The very law meant to protect nature is so poorly enforced that it has failed to stop nearly 2.3 million hectares of likely koala habitat from being bulldozed and cut down.
"Given that the koala has been recognised as threatened with extinction since 2012 and therefore should be protected from harm, this underscores the total failure of the current laws to keep trees in the ground and prevent the further decline of the species.
"In its revision of Australia's national nature law, the Albanese government must set clear rules to protect habitat for threatened species like the koala, close loopholes that enable rogue bulldozers and establish an independent watchdog to enforce the law.
"Congratulations, and thank you, to all the groups and community members who have fought hard for the Great Koala National Park."
Associate Professor Desley Whisson from Deakin University said:
"To prevent koala extinction, we must stop the broadscale destruction of their habitat. Our current environmental laws are doing nothing to protect this iconic species.
"We know habitat loss is the leading cause of koala decline, yet deforestation continues unchecked. If we are serious about preventing extinction of this iconic species, our national laws must be strengthened to keep trees standing.
"Preventing koala extinction isn't complicated. We need to stop deforestation by strengthening our national laws."
Dr Kita Ashman, Adjunct Professor at Charles Sturt University, said:
"The way Regional Forests Agreements operate under the EPBC Act is effectively as a backdoor for destructive practices like logging to continue with very little scrutiny.
"If we remove this loophole, it will mean climate refuges and places that are critical for the survival of the species will remain intact."
